Sri Lankan doctor joins efforts to save elephant Madhubala in Karachi
KARACHI: Sri Lankan wildlife health specialist and veterinarian Dr Buddhika Bandara joined Four Paws’ expert Dr Amir Khalil and the Safari Park vet team on Friday to carry out a joint medical examination of the ailing elephant Madhubala. The foreign experts have been invited by local authorities after Safari Park vets failed to diagnose the factors behind Madhubala’s ongoing health crisis. The…
KARACHI: A Sri Lankan wildlife health specialist and veterinarian, Dr Buddhika Bandara, has joined Four Paws’ Dr Amir Khalil and the Safari Park vet team to conduct a joint medical examination on the ailing elephant Madhubala. The foreign experts were invited by local authorities following Safari Park vets' inability to diagnose the cause of Madhubala's deteriorating health.
Madhubala, a female African elephant, has been experiencing severe weight loss over the past few months, as well as collapsing twice in her enclosure. Multiple bacterial and parasitic infections, along with the weakness from tuberculosis treatment, have led to significant weight loss. Additionally, Madhubala has a linear fracture in her carpal joint.
Dr Amir Khalil, speaking to journalists at a press conference, emphasized the importance of better care and management, stating that foreign and local vets have been collaborating to save Madhubala. They have been in contact for several weeks, but more efforts are needed. While she has shown some signs of recovery, it is difficult to predict her future with certainty.
The foreign experts will also examine Malika, Madhubala's only companion at Karachi Zoo. The country's last two captive elephants, Madhubala and Malika, were the subject of concern after Noor Jehan, Madhubala's companion, tragically passed away in 2023 after a fall in her enclosure. Noor Jehan's autopsy revealed that she died from a severe blood parasitic infection, internal trauma, and lack of proper medical care.
Madhubala had been in solitary confinement at the zoo following Noor Jehan's death. Thanks to Four Paws' intervention, Madhubala was successfully relocated to Safari Park in November 2024, where she reunited with her sisters, Sonia and Malika. However, Sonia's death a month later, caused by multiple chronic illnesses, raised concerns about Madhubala's care.
Post-mortem reports revealed that she had suffered from numerous severe health issues, demonstrating prolonged neglect in her care and poor diagnosis.
Written by urgent.news from Dawn's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
